SportsLink

Odds are, WSU will be underdog

Posted by Vince

Aug. 5, 2010 8:49 a.m. • 6 comments

COUGARS

USC became the first Pac-10 team to open 2010 season when the Trojans began fall camp yesterday in Los Angeles. Arizona follows suit today, then everyone else as the days roll on (Washington State starts Sunday). We have some links on that and some observations on the run-up to the season’s first week. Read on.

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• As I was running around the web this morning, I stumbled upon a site with some early betting lines. Scrolling down, I found the Cougars opened as a 16½-point underdog against Oklahoma State. The line seems to be 14 now. Which got me to thinking. These teams played a couple years ago in Seattle in the opener, with OSU winning 39-13. That was a pretty darn good OSU team and a lot more experienced then the current model. The Cougars? They were on their way to, statistically at least, one of the worst seasons in their history (though they did finish with two wins). So I guess 14 is about right, in that WSU is probably going to be much improved, OSU isn’t as good and the game is in Stillwater. But how do you see it? Do you think Oklahoma State should be favored by more or should the line be tighter? Let me know. … The loss to OSU two years ago wasn’t all that painful, considering the Cougars played well for most of the game only to wear down and to have their special teams let them down. But the loss Ted Miller cites here was really painful for Cougar fans. Though the game listed above certainly wasn’t. … The first day of the Lane Kiffin era at USC is nothing like the Pete Carroll era. Nothing at all. Though it was a big relief. … Wonder what AP voters take into account when filling out their weekly ballot? You can read their guidelines here. … When Oregon practice begins next week, coach Chip Kelly will be watching the quarterbacks carefully. One, Darron Thomas, will be out to prove he’s ready to drive the offense. … More on the pressure Cal coach Jeff Tedford is feeling. … Arizona State wants to turn the page on the last couple seasons. … One basketball note. Oregon, under new coach Dana Altman, is headed to Italy, if everyone stays healthy.

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• That’s all for this morning. We’ll be back if events warrant. Until then …

Six comments on this post so far. Add yours!

garlandcoug on August 05 at 9:43 a.m.
I think that 14 is low considering the Cougs recent history. Until WSU shows it can compete against decent competition, something that have not done for two plus years, there is no reason to think they will. Its all wishes and paper improvement at this point. Painful to say but true.
HDCoug on August 05 at 9:46 a.m.
Vince, I think the line is reasonable. The Cougs will likely be double digit underdogs until they prove otherwise against a bcs opponent.

Once again, thank goodness you’re back.

Cheers and Go Cougs
danieljgibbons_hotmail_com on August 05 at 9:50 a.m.
Wulff’s first two season openers were 39-13 losses. I’d like the know the odds of that.

I would take OK State on that line, but I learned long ago to never bet on WSU games.
mikewsu on August 05 at 10:08 a.m.
I’m pretty sure Cougs were also 14 point underdogs two years ago to OK State.

Game is in Stillwater, not neutral, though, so maybe the oddsmakers think we have a slightly better chance this time around.
SpectreCoug on August 05 at 12:19 p.m.
Interesting that the line has gone from 16.5 to 14. That means a lot of the money coming in is on the Cougs. The bettors must know something we do not. I think the line should be in the 19-21 range.

I’ll be in Stillwater rooting on the Cougs, sitting next to my buddy who went to OK St. I just pray that it’s a good game. I won’t allow myself to think we can win, though with all the bad news coming out of Stillwater, I wouldn’t be shocked. Well, yes I would. GO COUGS!
ECoug01 on August 05 at 12:28 p.m.
Line is about right and might be somewhat low. 21 wouldnt have shocked me and might be more accurate with our last 2 years.

I agree the 1st game of the year the good and bad teams are more equal and you can sneak up on someone. That ok st. team we lost to in Seattle that year would have KILLED us in late october. Bein on the road, advantage Ok st. 21 to 14 point line is about accurate.